Students at The Gambia’s only public university voted to boycott exams until their chancellor, President Yahya Jammeh ends the political deadlock in the country by transfering power to President-elect Adama Barrow, said Bakary Fatty, the students’ union spokesperson.

“University of the Gambia Students have unanimously voted not to sit to exams until the current situation in the country is calm and stable,” said Fatty after a referendum with on the spot counting of votes by the students.

“On the spot counting” was introduced by President Jammeh in this year’s election that saw him shockingly lose to realtor and businessman Adama Barrow to make the polls transparent and rig – and fraud-proof.

University students urged President Yahya Jammeh to respect the will of the people and allow a peaceful and smooth transition and transfer of power.

“Students also expressed dissapointment for a validedly election results nulified by the outgoing president. As their representative, we therefore deem it neceesary to represent the views of the people that we represent,” Fatty said.

A pact of lecturers are also boycotting all college activities including the exams.

President Yahya Jammeh is facing strong opposition from unions in the country and resistance from the international community after he took a political u-turn to reject the outcome of the elections. Jammeh had accepted defeat and congratulated Barrow, but now accuses the electoral commission of fraud and rigging the polls.